Disaster Recovery Center opens for victims of Matthew in Chesapeake

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CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Help for Chesapeake residents is on the way after Hurricane Matthew.

On Thursday, the City opened up a disaster recovery center (DRC) to assist those who need help with repairing and replacing property.

The DRC is housed at the Chesapeake Department of Human Services on Outlaw Street, which opened Thursday to help with disaster relief efforts for Chesapeake residents.

Hundreds of Chesapeake homes were damaged due to flooding and downed trees. Chesapeake and Virginia Beach were declared disaster zones after each city requested federal help. Both will now get FEMA assistance.

Until FEMA arrives in Chesapeake, the city will be able to provide residents in need with locally based services and access to FEMA internet resources. The center will be run by city personnel, community representatives and volunteers.

Once FEMA is on site they will assist with the application process for those hoping to get federal aid for damage from Matthew.

The center is not taking donations and they advise you to give to other locally based organizations if you wish to donate.

The center will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday -Friday and from 9 to noon on Saturdays. The city of Chesapeake says those hours could change once FEMA is on site.